COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed left wing Vinny Prospal to a one-year contract extension through the 2012-13 season, club Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Prospal, 36, has registered nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points and 18 penalty minutes in 53 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He ranks second on the club in points and is third (tied) in goals. He was signed as a free agent by Columbus on July 23, 2011.

“We are very excited to have Vinny signed for another year,” said Howson. “His leadership and play on the ice have certainly been positives for us this season.”

Philadelphia’s second pick, 71st overall, in the 1993 Entry Draft, Prospal made his NHL debut with the Flyers in 1996-97 and has collected 236-477-713 and 531 penalty minutes in 1,031 career games with Philadelphia, Ottawa, Florida, Tampa Bay, Anaheim, NY Rangers and Columbus during his 14-plus NHL seasons. He has registered five 20-goal seasons, eight campaigns with 50 or more points and missed just 13 games in eight seasons from 2001-10, appearing in 643-of-656 contests during that span. He has also appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs nine times, tallying 10-25-35 and 26 penalty minutes in 65 games.

The Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic native has represented his country in international competition on several occasions, including at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. He played in the 2004 and 2005 World Championships, winning the gold medal in 2005, and in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey tournament. Prospal also represented the Czech Republic at the 1994 and 1995 World Junior Championships.

The Blue Jackets return to action Thursday when they host the Dallas Stars. Game time from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus and online at BlueJackets.com.

Single game tickets for the Blue Jackets home games starting at $26 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can also purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at BlueJackets.com, the official club web site, and ticketmaster.com.

Full and partial season ticket plans for the Blue Jackets’ 2011-12 season are on sale now starting at less than $15 per game. Full and partial-season ticket holders receive a number of great benefits including significant savings versus single-game prices; the best available seat locations; exclusive access to events with players and coaches; and priority access to tickets for most other events at Nationwide Arena and the Jerome Schottenstein Center. For more information, call (800) NHL-COLS or visit BlueJackets.com.